Being of divine service is a source of immense joy, so how can we do so in the most aligned way? The best way to serve the world is by being true to oneself and one's own authentic beingness. There are benevolent energies operating in the Universe, which some refer to as Consciousness, others call it God, the Universe, Source or some other name. By tuning into this energy within oneself, the rightness for the Whole can be accessed. By finding what is authentic and right within, we can trust that we are doing what is right and aligned for all.
Our notion of being seperate individuals is an illusion, we are all connected to a divine flow emanating from the Source of all things. By tuning in and acting (or not acting) from this connected place - our soul knowing, we may positively contribute to Life as it unfolds all around us. Most of us have had synchronistic experiences and signs that illustrate this connectedness, for example we think of someone and then we meet them or they call or we follow the pull to a certain location and something magical unfolds. We are not alone, this Energy or Benevolence is always supporting us.
Right Energy
In order to best serve it is vital to be resourced, grounded and centred within ourselves. There are many mindful ways to do this including meditating, spending time in nature or conscious breathing, you will know what is right for you. This may mean that we need to spend time by ourselves or do things that bring us joy or rest. This may appear selfish or complacent, though it is only by being present and as clear as we can be, that we are of utmost benefit to the Whole. We all have distortions and blockages and it is important that we take time to work through these in order to be in a better place to achieve our purpose here, infact removing such blockages and finding our true selves may well be our very purpose.
Frequently in the spiritual world and in the world in general, we are conditioned as to how we "should" behave and act. From a very young age expectations are placed upon us. Our ideas of what is right and what is wrong become inherent. Yet our soul is ultimately free and unbound by such restrictions. The soul and it's rightful expression is spontaneous and unlimited. Right action doesn't come from the mind or logic or what we have been told or taught by others, it comes from intuitively feeling what is aligned, it comes through our soul. Sometimes we may be drawn to support another, at other times we may feel to leave or assertively challenge a situation.
At times we may feel overwhelmed, depressed or guilty by how little impact we appear to be having or by the current state of the world, however each tiny soul led action can make a difference as the following story illustrates...
Frequently in the spiritual world and in the world in general, we are conditioned as to how we "should" behave and act. From a very young age expectations are placed upon us. Our ideas of what is right and what is wrong become inherent. Yet our soul is ultimately free and unbound by such restrictions. The soul and it's rightful expression is spontaneous and unlimited. Right action doesn't come from the mind or logic or what we have been told or taught by others, it comes from intuitively feeling what is aligned, it comes through our soul. Sometimes we may be drawn to support another, at other times we may feel to leave or assertively challenge a situation.
At times we may feel overwhelmed, depressed or guilty by how little impact we appear to be having or by the current state of the world, however each tiny soul led action can make a difference as the following story illustrates...
Starfish story
Once upon a time, there was an old man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach every morning before he began his work. Early one morning, he was walking along the shore after a big storm had passed and found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions.
Off in the distance, the old man noticed a small boy approaching. As the boy walked, he paused every so often and as he grew closer, the man could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up an object and throw it into the sea. The boy came closer still and the man called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”
The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,” the youth replied. “When the sun gets high, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water.
Off in the distance, the old man noticed a small boy approaching. As the boy walked, he paused every so often and as he grew closer, the man could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up an object and throw it into the sea. The boy came closer still and the man called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”
The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,” the youth replied. “When the sun gets high, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water.
The old man replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.” The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one!”
adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977)
adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977)
This story reminds us that we can all make a difference, even if our efforts seem small and inconsequential. Sometimes we may feel that our contribution may not be worthwhile or we may feel overwhelmed by all that apparently needs to be achieved. Yet the boy in the story made a difference one starfish at a time. To climb a mountain we begin with the first step. Chris Bohjalian wisely said “A single, ordinary person still can make a difference and single, ordinary people are doing precisely that every day.”
Your Authentic expression
We are each unique and have our own path to travel. We are here to discover more about ourselves. "Authentic motivation is to explore beingness" (Openhand), rather than achieve some external outcome. It's about finding and living your own truth and unfolding who you truly are in each and every moment. So how can you live a more soul led, authentic life which will better serve the world? By being true to you. The time for authentic beingness is now! I leave you with some wise words from Nelson Mandela...
"You playing small does not serve the world.
Who are you not to be great"
Nelson Mandela
With love and gratitude for the difference you make in the world - let your light shine,
Fiona
Fiona
Fiona is an Openhand Facilitator and house manager at Avalon Rising (Openhand's Retreat Centre in Glastonbury). She is also a reflexologist and experienced doula. She is passionate about living true to her heart and soul and empowering others to do the same. Her website is www.fionareilly.co.uk or click here for her True Living facebook page.
RSS Feed